Head is spinning....
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I just dont know where to start. My dream is to be a nurse, Id LOVE to be a L&D nurse. I want to do this SO bad. I didnt do well in HS at all and didnt take my SATs. So I know there are pre-req... Read More

May 26, '07

fill out an application and send it to the college.

before sending it to the college, make a xerox copy of it for your files which you are going to start.

follow the other directions that come with the college application (you should also find them listed in the college's catalog). one of the things you will become very aware of about college is that no one is going to take you by the hand and tell you how to do these processes unless you ask for help. it is up to you to read and follow the directions and ask if there is something you don't understand.

if the college also wants a copy of your high school transcript, you must arrange for your high school to send a transcript to the college. the college application instructions will tell you the address to send them to. usually, it's an admissions office.

call your old high school and ask them what the cost is to have an official transcript sent to a college for you. then, write a letter to your high school requesting the transcript along with the fee for the transcript that goes something like this:

to whom it may concern:

i graduated from xyz high school in june of 19xx. i am applying for admission to xyz college and need to have you send an official transcript of my grades to:

admissions office
xyz college
999 oak street
anytown, usa 99999

enclosed is my check of $x to cover your fee for doing this.

sincerely,
kmp77

then, you wait. my experiences have been that about half the time schools will send a letter of confirmation letting you know that they sent your transcript. half the time they don't. lately, some of the colleges and high schools have gone to taking the requests for transcripts online. that's why i suggest you call your high school and ask how to get a transcript. they'll tell you the procedure. if you haven't heard from the college about your application after a few weeks, call the admissions office to find out where your application is in their admission process. if something is missing that they require, they'll let you know. be aware that things sometimes get lost and delays can happen which is why it's a good idea to follow up on things.

make sure you download from the college website, or get a hard copy, of your chosen college's catalog. that catalog is your bible to the procedures and rules regarding being a student and earning a degree in any subject at that school. you keep it forever for reference. the reason is not important for you to know at this time, just know that you need to hang onto it as if it were an insurance policy or a birth certificate.

welcome to the wonderful world of college! after admission, the next step is to make an appointment to talk to a counselor about getting into a nursing program. while you're waiting, read the information in the college catalog on the requirements to graduate with an associate or bachelor's degree (depending on what the school offers).

May 26, '07

I forgot one itty bitty detail--your maiden name. Your high school is going to know you by your maiden name. The college will have your admission application and records under your married name, if that's the name you are now using. So, when you send that letter to the high school, make sure you tell them that your name is now XXXX and that you have applied to the college under that name so they get everything filed where it is supposed to go.

Good luck!

May 26, '07

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 27, '07

Hi!! My experience, which is certainly not the same as others, is....

Arrange to talk to a counselor at the local community college (forget about this in a university, the nursing program won't talk to you individually, you have to go to an information session)

Fill out an application, pay them the money for applying

Take the required asessment exams in math, reading, and whatever else

Make another appointment with your advisor and sign up for the recommended classes, they will get you where you need to be.

Good Luck!!

May 27, '07

KMP77

WOW, you sound like me five years ago and I am almost at the finish line. I also am from NJ (Gloucester County) and wanted to be a L&D nurse. (Not top on my list anymore) I started at the very, very bottom. Just like you will be. I went one day and enrolled at my community college and took a placement test. I was happy to take it. I had been out of school at that point almost twenty years. I had to take a refresher in math and glad I did. I needed it to start algebra that I had never taken in high school. As well as the chemistry, biology and so on. This was all before I could take the classes I need toward my degree, but I wanted to be a nurse. I took all my pre-requisites first. When I was almost done with those, I applied at the nursing school at another local college Camden County (Helene Fuld). I switched schools because at that time ACT scored were not needed for Helene Fuld, but needed at Gloucester County College. I heard that has since changed. I wish you the best of luck. If you want this bad enough you will do anything to obtain it. I am a divorced mom raising two kids in nursing school and I am doing it. WHY? Because I want to be a NURSE. My kids are 10 and 13 and are so proud of me. They see the happiness that this is bringing me and all the hard work I put into it. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I am half way done nursing school and starting to see the light of that very long dark tunnel. Best of luck to you and follow your dreams. It is not easy, but you'll make yourself proud as well as those around you.

May 27, '07

gpa in hs was 2.3. Got a C- in Algebra.. all of them College Algebras, got A's and a B. Finally got a teacher who made it easy and make sense. If I had her in hs, maybe I wouldnt have felt like a dumb mutt.

gpa college 3.69- pre reqs included
got A's in 3 of 4 semesters of nursing school.

you can do it. Just get kick butt grades on your prereqs!

May 28, '07

Wow, again thank you all so very much. Hearing your stories really inspires me!

Daisylizzydog, Im in Essex County.

May 28, '07

Make sure all the classes you do at a different college transfer to the nursing program you want to be admitted to. Several senior level students in my program are having to retake classes that didn't transfer. The Admissions office at the nursing school should be able to help you with this.